A Spectacular Conclusion

From July 12-19, 680 young campers and their delegation leaders from across the country and around the globe gathered on the Graceland University campus for a week of community, activity, exploration, and devotion.

Sponsored by the Community of Christ, “SPEC” is a Lamoni summer institution: an annual camp for high school kids that provides a closed, safe space away from their usual environments, daily routines and pressures. At the end of SPEC, the kids pack up with new impressions and friendships, and leave campus with a renewed sense of belonging, confidence and purpose. Some of them will return as Graceland University students.

On the occasion of the final Morning Celebration, everyone convened at the amphitheater for a 2025 SPECTACULAR highlight: the award ceremony for academic and athletic scholarships. The Kathy & Joel Ross Inspired Leadership fund awarded two full-tuition and four half-tuition Wallace B. Smith scholarships. Further, five talented athletes received a Tom Cochran Volleyball award.

Graceland University Assistant VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary Zac Harmon-McLaughlin ’08, DMin, proudly presented a

Wallace B. Smith full scholarship ($22,000 renewable up to 4 years, totaling $88,000)
to
Lawson Stuhlsatz, Central Mission delegation
Gia DeRose, Mid FarWest Lands delegation

and a
Wallace B. Smith partial scholarship ($11,000 renewable up to 4 years, totaling $44,000)
to
Raelynn Moore, Tex-Mex delegation
Cameron Carnahan, West PoNAy delegation
Athena Augspurger, HOA delegation
Brynn Ingram, Central Mission delegation

Affectionately called “the Wally B,” Wallace B. Smith scholarships are awarded exclusively at SPECTACULAR. They aim to support students who embody the qualities of servant leadership while demonstrating a commitment to community at Graceland and within the Community of Christ church. With the inception of a full tuition scholarship, it became more popular and competitive: applications have increased by over 700% since.

“I can’t emphasize enough how compelling this year’s ‘Wally B’ process was for the panelists,” says Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students John Godfrey ’06, a member of the selection committee alongside Harmon-McLaughlin, Community of Christ First Presidency member Janné Grover, Kathleen Kathleen Beatty ’04 Hnathyshn and Carrie Garwood ’95 Welch of the Community of Christ Council of Twelve, and Mike Hoffman of the Graceland University Campus Ministries.

“The final question we posed to the applicants was ‘Tell us something a fellow student in this room shared that was powerful or meaningful to you,’ and their responses demonstrated an impressive level of maturity, insight, and empathy.”

The scholarship committee was so impressed by this year’s applicants that all of them were guaranteed an annual stipend of $1000 within the InSpire ministry and leadership program which also supports Community of Christ youth.

Wallace B. Smith daughters Carolyn Smith ’79 Wells and Julie Smith ’84, and Community of Christ Prophet-President Stassi Cramm ’03, PhD, attended this year’s scholarship award ceremony as honored guests of Graceland University President Joel Shrock, PhD, VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Jill Fort, PhD, and VP of Institutional Advancement and Admissions Kristi Hettrick ’96.

***
With an award that honors a passionate early SPEC camp director, the Tom Cochran Volleyball award, Graceland Athletics hall of famer coach Stew McDole ’65 was proud to secure a spot as a future women’s volleyball Yellowjacket

for
Gia DeRose, Mid FarWest Lands delegation
Claire Newman, West PoNAy delegation
Madison Sowers, Northwest delegation
with a stipend each of $5,000 renewable for four years, totaling $20,000

and for
Jaydin Easton, Tex-Mex delegation
Lily Rondomanski, Central Mission delegation
with a stipend each of $4,000 renewable for four years, totaling $16,000

***
Graceland University President Joel Shrock sums up, “It was an absolute joy to host SPEC camp this week and to celebrate this year’s outstanding SPEC award winners. These students are deeply impressive—not only for their achievements, but for the spirit and leadership they bring to their communities. The partnership between Graceland and Community of Christ continues to be a powerful expression of our shared values, and this week was a beautiful reminder of that. I look forward to welcoming these award winners back to campus next fall as part of the Graceland family.”

Graceland University VP of Institutional Advancement and Admissions Kristi Hettrick expresses, “I’m so grateful to the Kathy and Joel Ross Inspired Leadership Fund for making these awards possible. Their generosity is helping us recognize and support young leaders who are already making a difference in their communities. It was truly inspiring to be part of SPEC this week and to witness the energy, faith, and passion of these students. SPEC is a powerful reminder of the bright future ahead for the shared mission of Graceland and Community of Christ.”

To experience some of that spectacular spirit yourself, you can relive the 2025 SPEC scholarships award event on the Graceland University campus here. [External link to the Graceland University YouTube stream]

“It was a privilege and blessing to serve on the interview committee for the Wallace B. Smith scholarship. Reviewing the applications revealed the diverse achievements of the candidates, and the interviews brought their giftedness to life. Each candidate shared their story and affirmed the stories of their peers, embodying the values of Community of Christ and Graceland. They demonstrated excellence in academics, arts, athletics, creativity, innovation, leadership, ministry, and community service. The collaboration between Community of Christ and Graceland helped navigate the challenge of selecting from so many gifted individuals. Getting to know the students through the interview process and seeing them shine in various camp activities reinforces our belief that every one of them belongs at Graceland.” Janné Grover, First Presidency, Community of Christ